2. Popular Opinions on Legal
Status
Newt Gingrich proposed a possible path to legal status
for illegal immigrants if he were to be nominated
president in the 2012 election. The criteria for
citizenship is if they have lived in the States for a long
time, they have children in the U.S., they pay taxes, and
they belong to a church.
A recent NSL survey showed that 91% of Hispanic,
undocumented workers, 86% of all Hispanics, and 72%
of all U.S. residents are in favor of a path to citizenship.
3. Who Would Qualify? Time Lived in
the States, Family Status, and
Religious Attendance
For unauthorized adult immigrants 35% have lived in the United
states for 15 years or longer. 28% for 10-14 years, 22% for 5 to 9
years, and 15% for less than 5 years.
46% of unauthorized adult immigrants are parents of minor
children.
At least 9 million people are in “mixed-status” families. (At least
one unauthorized adult and at least one U.S.-born child)
There are at least 400,000 unauthorized immigrant children with a
U.S.-born sibling.
The statistics for Hispanics who are not citizens or legal permanent
residents show that approximately 39% say they go to church
weekly, 23% say they go once or twice a month, 19% say they
seldom or never go, and 15% say they go a few times a year.
